The Representations of Predatory Birds in the Cultural Heritage of Macedonia
The predatory birds present in the pictorial and archaeological artifacts are not a prerogative of one country. These motifs can be found in a large chronological and territorial range. At the same time it should be noted that birds such as falcons and eagles, often acquire symbolical, hierarchal and even religious meaning in the process of artistic elaboration. Thus, if interpreting, we are obliged to reconsider all these possibilities.
However, the representations of predatory birds in the material culture of one particular land/country could direct toward their real presence during the prehistoric and historic periods, as well as toward their popularity among the population.
The presence of falcon and eagle images in the material culture from Republic of Macedonia can be traced back to prehistoric times. On this occasion we will give a brief survey which will include only one part of the artifacts originating from this territory.
Cleopatra 7
Coin of Ptolemy II (285-246 B.C.)
Coin of Ptolemy VI (180-164 B.C.)
Alexander the Great
One of the first representations of a predatory bird (eagle) can be seen on the coins of the Paeonian ruler Audoleon (315-286/5 BC). The bird is depicted standing on the arm of the supreme deity Zeus. The very same reverse design will be applied on the coins of the Macedonian rulers (Alexander III, Ptolemy I). Although in this case the eagle represents an attribute of the deity, as well as an imperial emblem, its presence can be intertwined with the fauna species of the time, as well as with the anthropomorphic background of the pantheon i.e. the humanization of the gods.
Symbol of Macedonian Dynasty in Eastern Roman Empire
Fig. 2 – plates from the sarcophagus from the Samuil`c church of St. Achilles, Prespa Lake, c.986-900
Another representation of predatory birds (falcons or eagles) can be seen on the plates of the sarcophagus discovered in the deaconicon of the Samuil`s church of St. Achilles on the Prespa Lake. These plates are dated in 986-900. It is interesting that within these compositions the birds are depicted attacking animals (a camel in one, and a water bird in the other case). It must be noted that the iconography of the plates surely possessed some religious and symbolical meaning, but it should also be emphasized that the gesture of the predatory birds indicates a real and objective behavior of these birds while hunting. Thus, we can suppose that the artist observed these birds in his environment, whether wild or “domesticated”.
Fig. 4 – Altar plates from St. Sophia, Ohrid, c.1037-1045
The practice of depicting eagles/falcons in the religious art repeats in the two parapetted marble plates from the altar of the church St. Sophia in Ohrid, which are dated c.1037-1045. In these examples the birds are represented in the moment of raising or carrying a plunder. On the first marble plate the bird carries a snake, which can be interpreted as a symbolical Christian motif, while on the second plate the claws hold a rabbit.
Again, although primarily symbolical, these compositions possess profound artistic elaboration which speaks of some kind of direct observing of the birds behavior or possible falconry activities.
This is the first visual display of "Serbian" state flag of Tsar Dushan (I opened a special thread about him HERE ):
Nice yellow-red colors huh?
Monastery of St. Jovan Bigorski:
Fig. 5 – golden earrings from Crkvishte, Gorno Orizari – Kocani, XIV century
The eagle or falcon motif is present even in the secular material culture of the medieval period in Macedonia. There exists a large repertoire of depictions of these birds on media such as jewelry, especially on rings and on some luxurious specimens of earrings. All these finds are dated between the XI-XV centuries and mostly represent grave offerings. Thus, it becomes clear that they belonged to concrete individuals. Whether their depiction was result of fashion, religious or hierarch signalization, still it should be noted that scholars leave an open possibility that the medieval jewelry in general, could indicate a corporation membership.
Macedonian Emblem 1525 as Coat of Arms and a Seal of the Macedonian Zhupan - Volk Makedonski
Macedonian Mijak famillies flags 18th Century:
References and illustrations: V. Lilčić, Antiquity, in Macedonian Cultural Heritage, Skopje, 1995, 46-89, 50; Н. Sheldarov, V. Lilčić, Kings of Antique Macedonia and their monets / coins in Republic of Macedonia, Skopje 1994, 64; P. Miljković-Pepek, Medieval Decorative Sculpture in Stone and Metal, in Macedonian National Treasures, Skopje, 1989, 199-210; Н. Chausidis, Dualistick paintings, Skopje, 2003, 273-275; Heaven on Earth – Art and the Church in Byzantium, ed. By Linda Safran, Pennsylvania, 2002, 200
With his brother Aaron, Samoil went to the court of the German Emperor to congratulate him on Easter and ask for political support. As befits a guest, probably as a gift he took something, and the host also has responded. Namely, in the museum in Würzburg kept a silk curtain, which is presented eagle flight of Alexander of Macedon. The curtain depicting two eagles whom Alexander (Christian symbol) on his head a golden crown placed three crosses! We do not know whether it was a gift to the German king, but could imagine!
In progress
The predatory birds present in the pictorial and archaeological artifacts are not a prerogative of one country. These motifs can be found in a large chronological and territorial range. At the same time it should be noted that birds such as falcons and eagles, often acquire symbolical, hierarchal and even religious meaning in the process of artistic elaboration. Thus, if interpreting, we are obliged to reconsider all these possibilities.
However, the representations of predatory birds in the material culture of one particular land/country could direct toward their real presence during the prehistoric and historic periods, as well as toward their popularity among the population.
The presence of falcon and eagle images in the material culture from Republic of Macedonia can be traced back to prehistoric times. On this occasion we will give a brief survey which will include only one part of the artifacts originating from this territory.
Cleopatra 7
Coin of Ptolemy II (285-246 B.C.)
Coin of Ptolemy VI (180-164 B.C.)
Alexander the Great
One of the first representations of a predatory bird (eagle) can be seen on the coins of the Paeonian ruler Audoleon (315-286/5 BC). The bird is depicted standing on the arm of the supreme deity Zeus. The very same reverse design will be applied on the coins of the Macedonian rulers (Alexander III, Ptolemy I). Although in this case the eagle represents an attribute of the deity, as well as an imperial emblem, its presence can be intertwined with the fauna species of the time, as well as with the anthropomorphic background of the pantheon i.e. the humanization of the gods.
Symbol of Macedonian Dynasty in Eastern Roman Empire
Fig. 2 – plates from the sarcophagus from the Samuil`c church of St. Achilles, Prespa Lake, c.986-900
Another representation of predatory birds (falcons or eagles) can be seen on the plates of the sarcophagus discovered in the deaconicon of the Samuil`s church of St. Achilles on the Prespa Lake. These plates are dated in 986-900. It is interesting that within these compositions the birds are depicted attacking animals (a camel in one, and a water bird in the other case). It must be noted that the iconography of the plates surely possessed some religious and symbolical meaning, but it should also be emphasized that the gesture of the predatory birds indicates a real and objective behavior of these birds while hunting. Thus, we can suppose that the artist observed these birds in his environment, whether wild or “domesticated”.
Fig. 4 – Altar plates from St. Sophia, Ohrid, c.1037-1045
The practice of depicting eagles/falcons in the religious art repeats in the two parapetted marble plates from the altar of the church St. Sophia in Ohrid, which are dated c.1037-1045. In these examples the birds are represented in the moment of raising or carrying a plunder. On the first marble plate the bird carries a snake, which can be interpreted as a symbolical Christian motif, while on the second plate the claws hold a rabbit.
Again, although primarily symbolical, these compositions possess profound artistic elaboration which speaks of some kind of direct observing of the birds behavior or possible falconry activities.
This is the first visual display of "Serbian" state flag of Tsar Dushan (I opened a special thread about him HERE ):
Ово је први ликовни приказ српске државне заставе. Поморска карта Ангелина Дулцерта из 1339. године, на пергаменту из два спојена дела (1020мм/750мм) садржи вињете градова, од којих су неке са заставама. Рађена је у више боја и производ је каталонске радионице картографа са Мајорке. На усправном копљишту које се завршава куглом , постављена је застави изнад града Скопља. На жутом квадратном пољу, насликан је црвени двоглави орао раширених крила. (Графика заставе је рађена на основу црно-бијеле слике карте и описа боја заставе из „МЦЈ-Средњовековне карте“ Народна књига Београд, 1979. године, а карта се чува у Bibliotheque national, Paris,Department des cartes et plans, Res. –Ge.B.696).
Monastery of St. Jovan Bigorski:
Fig. 5 – golden earrings from Crkvishte, Gorno Orizari – Kocani, XIV century
The eagle or falcon motif is present even in the secular material culture of the medieval period in Macedonia. There exists a large repertoire of depictions of these birds on media such as jewelry, especially on rings and on some luxurious specimens of earrings. All these finds are dated between the XI-XV centuries and mostly represent grave offerings. Thus, it becomes clear that they belonged to concrete individuals. Whether their depiction was result of fashion, religious or hierarch signalization, still it should be noted that scholars leave an open possibility that the medieval jewelry in general, could indicate a corporation membership.
Macedonian Emblem 1525 as Coat of Arms and a Seal of the Macedonian Zhupan - Volk Makedonski
Macedonian Mijak famillies flags 18th Century:
References and illustrations: V. Lilčić, Antiquity, in Macedonian Cultural Heritage, Skopje, 1995, 46-89, 50; Н. Sheldarov, V. Lilčić, Kings of Antique Macedonia and their monets / coins in Republic of Macedonia, Skopje 1994, 64; P. Miljković-Pepek, Medieval Decorative Sculpture in Stone and Metal, in Macedonian National Treasures, Skopje, 1989, 199-210; Н. Chausidis, Dualistick paintings, Skopje, 2003, 273-275; Heaven on Earth – Art and the Church in Byzantium, ed. By Linda Safran, Pennsylvania, 2002, 200
With his brother Aaron, Samoil went to the court of the German Emperor to congratulate him on Easter and ask for political support. As befits a guest, probably as a gift he took something, and the host also has responded. Namely, in the museum in Würzburg kept a silk curtain, which is presented eagle flight of Alexander of Macedon. The curtain depicting two eagles whom Alexander (Christian symbol) on his head a golden crown placed three crosses! We do not know whether it was a gift to the German king, but could imagine!
In progress
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